Sheffield Centre For Independent Living

Following our breaking news item about the government’s announcement that it is now not cutting Mobility Allowance for people living in residential homes a number of people have contacted Sheffield CIL to say well done to organisations and individuals in Sheffield for submitting a response to the Low Review including Sheffield’s Learning Disability Parliament who Irene Guest (MPP for Transport) who wrote an excellent letter to the Low Review and Sheffield LINk in a joint response with Partners for Inclusion/Sheffield Centre for Independent Living. Well done to everyone involved! Here is a message we received from Andrew Crooks from Sheffield LINk.

“ Because of the handful of disabled people we supported here in Sheffield - together with the hundreds throughout the UK who told government ministers about their concerns about government proposals to remove the mobility component of DLA - the government has changed it's mind! Disabled people like those who use Mickley Hall to meet their housing and social care needs can breathe a sigh of relief following the announcement by the minister of disabled people to keep the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). For we well know that those disabled people living in residential care the mobility component of DLA is an absolute lifeline, giving them the chance to leave their home, allowing them to visit friends and family or even attend doctors appointments. News that the Government is re-thinking its plans to scrap this payment will come as a huge relief.Probably though - the decision to keep the mobility component is just the first step - and we need to keep doing stuff if disabled people are not going to suffer by the wider effects of cuts to public spending and the coalition governments' misguided plans to reform the welfare and legal aid systems.So thanks again to SCIL and PfI for raising the issue with LINk and we can be happy that our efforts have helped to safeguard the independence of thousands. For disabled people living in residential care the mobility component of DLA is an absolute lifeline, giving them the chance to leave their home, allowing them to visit friends and family or even attend doctors appointments this news will come as a huge relief.